Oregon Bill to Ease Definition of Qualified Party Passes House Rules Committee Unanimously

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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On February 11, the Oregon House Rules Committee passed HB 4026 by 6-0. As amended, it lowers the registration test for a party to remain on the ballot from one-half of 1% of the registered voters, to one-fourth of 1% of the registered voters.

The bill has no impact on the alternate vote test, which is 1% of the vote for any statewide race at either of the last two elections.

The bill will help the Working Families Party to remain on the ballot. Generally WFP doesn’t have any statewide nominees, except for nominees who are also Democratic Party nominees. Because fusion in Oregon is aggregated, this means the Working Families nominees don’t receive a vote total just under the Working Families label. Therefore the alternate vote test is of no help to the Working Families Party, so the party needs to pass the registration test instead.

Fifth Circuit Hears Arguments in At-Large Texas Presidential Electors Case

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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On February 6, the Fifth Circuit heard oral argument in League of United Latin American Citizens of Texas v Abbott, 19-50214. This the case that challenges the at-large election of presidential electors in Texas. The three judges are: William E. Davis, a Reagan appointee; Jerry E. Smith, a Reagan appointee; and Carl E. Stewart, a Clinton appointee.

Here is a link to the oral argument, which lasted 31 minutes. The recording is quite faint.

Ninth Circuit Sets Oral Argument Date in Case Over At-Large Election for California Presidential Electors

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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The Ninth Circuit will hear Rodriguez v Brown, 18-56281, on March 3, Tuesday, in Pasadena. This is the case that challenges California’s practice of electing all its presidential electors on an at-large basis. There are three similar cases pending in Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Texas. Plaintiffs lost all four cases in U.S. District Courts, and so far there are no U.S. Court of Appeals decisions in any of these cases.

Seattle Files Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Defense of its Vouchers Campaign Finance Program

Posted on by February 11, 2020
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On February 10, the city of Seattle filed this response in Elster v City of Seattle, 19-608. This is a case involving Seattle’s voucher system for public funding of campaigns for city office. Each registered voter has four $25 vouchers, and that voter is free to give them to any candidate for city office. The candidate can then turn them in for campaign cash, to help his or her campaign.

The money is raised by a property tax. The lawsuit was filed by a property taxpayer who argues that it violates the First Amendment to force him to pay a tax that goes toward helping a candidate he may not agree with.

U.S. District Court Allows Challenge to North Dakota Voter ID Law to Proceed

Posted on by February 10, 2020
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On February 10, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland, a Bush Jr. appointee, refused to dismiss the lawsuit Spirit Lake Tribe v Jaeger, 1:18cv-222. This case was filed in 2018 over North Dakota’s law, requiring voters at the polls to show photo ID that includes the voter’s residential address. Many Native Americans do not have such ID. Here is the 13-page ruling. Now there will be a trial.